Matthew's West Town & More Guidebook
Food Scene
Great brunch/lunch! Quick, affordable, delicious. Then hit the shops all up and down Division.
94 locals recommend
Milk & Honey
1920 W Division StGreat brunch/lunch! Quick, affordable, delicious. Then hit the shops all up and down Division.
Great coffee. Fantastic staff. Just a short walk away. How can you complain?
68 locals recommend
Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago AveGreat coffee. Fantastic staff. Just a short walk away. How can you complain?
Brunch. Just a few blocks east on Chicago Avenue. Flo's is a damn good brunch for a very reasonable price.
94 locals recommend
Flo
1434 W Chicago AveBrunch. Just a few blocks east on Chicago Avenue. Flo's is a damn good brunch for a very reasonable price.
Do yourself a favor and get the best burger of your life at Au Chaval. Chase it with a pickle back. If you are feeling decedent order the chopped chicken liver, foie gras terrine, or bone marrow.
620 locals recommend
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StDo yourself a favor and get the best burger of your life at Au Chaval. Chase it with a pickle back. If you are feeling decedent order the chopped chicken liver, foie gras terrine, or bone marrow.
An homage to beer, pork and oysters, The Publican's eclectic menu is inspired by simple farmhouse fare in a beautiful space evocative of a European beer hall. Request a barnbooth for parties of four!
97 locals recommend
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketAn homage to beer, pork and oysters, The Publican's eclectic menu is inspired by simple farmhouse fare in a beautiful space evocative of a European beer hall. Request a barnbooth for parties of four!
Best brunch in the Chicago. Locally sourced menu features a consistently delicious and constantly changing seasonal menu. Dinner is also great, but brunch/lunch is just as good for half the price
936 locals recommend
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdBest brunch in the Chicago. Locally sourced menu features a consistently delicious and constantly changing seasonal menu. Dinner is also great, but brunch/lunch is just as good for half the price
Fantastic wine list and farm to table deliciousness awaits. Hidden gem. Go here you won't be disappointed.
173 locals recommend
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California AvenueFantastic wine list and farm to table deliciousness awaits. Hidden gem. Go here you won't be disappointed.
Best sushi in Chicago. Fresh and tasty with inventive rolls and dishes. Beautiful decor. One of the best new restaurants in Chicago. Go here for an amazing taste treat!
87 locals recommend
KAI ZAN
2557 W Chicago AveBest sushi in Chicago. Fresh and tasty with inventive rolls and dishes. Beautiful decor. One of the best new restaurants in Chicago. Go here for an amazing taste treat!
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveFantastic coal fired pizza! So good... and only a 13 minute walk!
Phenomenal restaurant offering extended tasting menu and wine/cocktail pairings. Not cheap but the best meal I've had in years. Highly recommend. Reservations required.
13 locals recommend
Oriole
661 W Walnut StPhenomenal restaurant offering extended tasting menu and wine/cocktail pairings. Not cheap but the best meal I've had in years. Highly recommend. Reservations required.
Great small sandwich shop that is one of my favorite go-to lunch spots in the area. The soups are good too!
12 locals recommend
Tempesta Market
1372 W Grand AveGreat small sandwich shop that is one of my favorite go-to lunch spots in the area. The soups are good too!
Windy City Cafe
1062 W Chicago AveConvenient and tasty spot for a classic breakfast!
Absolutely delicious and super busy spot in the Fulton Market district. A must try in my opinion! Reservations recommended, so plan ahead if you can or try and sneak in at the bar.
10 locals recommend
Rose Mary
932 West Fulton StreetAbsolutely delicious and super busy spot in the Fulton Market district. A must try in my opinion! Reservations recommended, so plan ahead if you can or try and sneak in at the bar.
Delicious tiny spot to grab a piece of pie for dessert or anytime the sweet tooth hits! (And only a block away!)
76 locals recommend
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
1618 W Chicago AveDelicious tiny spot to grab a piece of pie for dessert or anytime the sweet tooth hits! (And only a block away!)
Delicious spot for dinner, a glass of wine, a cocktail and even brunch! It's also only a block away!!
78 locals recommend
Beatnik
1604 W Chicago AveDelicious spot for dinner, a glass of wine, a cocktail and even brunch! It's also only a block away!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Alice in Wonderland meets Marie Antoinette... Dressy, hip, inventive cocktails. Take notice of the every changing mural and expect to wait for a seat and spend a few bucks.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveAlice in Wonderland meets Marie Antoinette... Dressy, hip, inventive cocktails. Take notice of the every changing mural and expect to wait for a seat and spend a few bucks.
Whiskey/Tacos/Beer. Big star has some of the best of each at very reasonable prices and one of the very best patios in city. Heart of Wicker Park. Two stops toward O'hare on the Blue Line.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveWhiskey/Tacos/Beer. Big star has some of the best of each at very reasonable prices and one of the very best patios in city. Heart of Wicker Park. Two stops toward O'hare on the Blue Line.
"Chicago's most intimate bar" Just a short walk east from where you are staying, the matchbox has some of the best gimlets and manhattans in the city.
56 locals recommend
Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee Ave"Chicago's most intimate bar" Just a short walk east from where you are staying, the matchbox has some of the best gimlets and manhattans in the city.
Best dive bar in the Chicago. If you are looking for me while you are in Chicago you have a good chance of finding me here.
81 locals recommend
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveBest dive bar in the Chicago. If you are looking for me while you are in Chicago you have a good chance of finding me here.
Whiskey bar with some of the best food in the city. Longman and Eagle has an extensive whiskey selection while at the same time has earned a Michelin star for it's fantastic eats.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveWhiskey bar with some of the best food in the city. Longman and Eagle has an extensive whiskey selection while at the same time has earned a Michelin star for it's fantastic eats.
Cool hip wine store/bar that also serves small plates. Friendly knowledgeable staff will help you pick the perfect bottle.
43 locals recommend
Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W Chicago AveCool hip wine store/bar that also serves small plates. Friendly knowledgeable staff will help you pick the perfect bottle.
If you're into arcade games, this is a good spot to stop for a drink and try and get the high score on your favorite game! (My personal fave is Q*bert.)
158 locals recommend
Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveIf you're into arcade games, this is a good spot to stop for a drink and try and get the high score on your favorite game! (My personal fave is Q*bert.)
Shopping
Best little vintage and locally made store in Chicago that's only a few blocks away. Owner Julie couldn't be nicer. Perfect for gifts or things to take back home to remind you of Chicago. Tell Julie you are staying with me!
28 locals recommend
Dovetail
1452 W Chicago AveBest little vintage and locally made store in Chicago that's only a few blocks away. Owner Julie couldn't be nicer. Perfect for gifts or things to take back home to remind you of Chicago. Tell Julie you are staying with me!
Penelope's
1913 W Division StOne of our favorite local clothing boutiques on Division!
Best place to get new and used music! Great selection of vinyl too.
111 locals recommend
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveBest place to get new and used music! Great selection of vinyl too.
Una Mae's
1528 N Milwaukee AveOur favorite clothing boutique in Wicker Park!
Asrai Garden
1935 W North AveBeautiful shop for eclectic plants, floral arrangements and gifts!
Kokorokoko
1323 N Milwaukee AveGreat vintage spot!
Our favorite used book store for the bibliophiles out there. Huge selection!
118 locals recommend
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveOur favorite used book store for the bibliophiles out there. Huge selection!
Wellness
My partner's favorite spot for a mani/pedi, just a quick ride away for a little extra relaxation! They offer a variety of services, check the website to make a reservation.
HM Day Spa
917 W Madison StMy partner's favorite spot for a mani/pedi, just a quick ride away for a little extra relaxation! They offer a variety of services, check the website to make a reservation.
AIRE Ancient Baths
800 W Superior StOne of my favorite places in Chicago!
Sightseeing
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveThe Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Avewndr museum
1130 W Monroe StEssentials
Walgreens
1931 W Cermak RdOnly a few blocks away for any essentials you may need!
Closest full grocery store that will have everything you need! Only a 13 minute walk, a super short ride, or hop on the Chicago Avenue bus.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveClosest full grocery store that will have everything you need! Only a 13 minute walk, a super short ride, or hop on the Chicago Avenue bus.
Family Dollar
1533 West Chicago AvenueJust around the corner and convenient!
Traveler advice
Getting around
We are right between two CTA Blue Line Stops
The Division Blue Line Stop is about a 12-minute walk directly north on N. Ashland & W. Division and the Chicago Blue Line Stop is about the same distance straight east of us at W. Chicago & N. Milwaukee Avenues. So depending on which direction you are planning to travel, it would be a short walk with things to discover along the way!
You can also catch either bus route from the corner of Ashland and Chicago Avenue to transfer to the train too!